Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,414, William Fiers, Va.

SERVICE
J. Fiens, William
NUMBER _____
D. 30.414
CONTENTS

See letter 5 Feb 34 To Hon C. S. Lyon & Pen Act.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838, from 4 Sept 1836 to the 4 Sept 1837. Age Notified 20 Sept 1838.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Age notified 16 July 1839
Death not on A.B.
222
22022
Kentucky
William Fiers of Livingston Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the comd commanded by Captain Nussom of the reg t commanded by Col Gaskins in the Virginia line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum. commence on the 1 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Nov 1833 and Thomas Hayes Peninsular
Arrears to the 1 th of Sept 50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 10
$60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Lloyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 29

State of Kentucky, Livingston County to wit:
On this 24 th day of September 1833 personally appeared before John Smedley, one of the justices of the County Court, in and for said County and State, William Syers, resident of said County aged seventy three years, the 4 October next, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That sometime in the year 1777 (the precise month I do not remember) but it was in June or July, I entered the service as a private, from the County of Sussex State of Virginia in the militia of that state, having been drafted, and served under Lieutenant Ralph McEee, Captain Thomas Stevenson. From Sussex we marched to Muddy Mills (or Bump Mills) near the town of Suffolk in Nansemond County, which had been burnt by the enemy, at which place we joined General Muhlenberg. The regiment to which I belonged at this time I do not now distinctly remember but the principal officers who were in command at this time and belonging to this division of the American army were Col. Austin, Col. Wells, Genl. Wells, Major Ewel and Major Small. From this place we marched to Portsmouth on Elizabeth river opposite Norfolk, which had been taken possession of by the British. But before our arrival they had evacuated the place. After remaining here sometime, reconnoitering the country, we moved to Bath old fields about thirty miles distant, where I was taken sick, and obtained a furlough from Gen. Muhlenberg to return home. In this service I was only two months out, having obtained the furlough before my term was expired. having been drafted for three months At this time the militia of Virginia was divided into divisions of 10, and served in turn. In November of the same year, my turn again came, and as a private, I again entered the service in the militia under Captain Nichols and Lieutenant Robert Andrews and rendezvoused at a Brick Church in Sussex County, and marched from thence to Surry Courthouse, and remained there about two weeks. After which we marched to Swann's point on James' river, and crossed over, and proceeded towards Williamsburg to a place (Brick church) where a battle had been fought a short time before, and many were left dead.

From this place we proceeded to Williamsburg, and remained there for six weeks, reconnoitering the enemy's lines, their main force being only 12 miles distant from the place. While stationed here we were in the upper end of the town, in the New Magazine, where Genl. Washington joined us. Under his orders, we were marched in detachments to different points to spy and reconnoiter. Finally we were all ordered to York town, where the British lay. The forces under Genl. Will's were ordered across James River to Stony's mills to get plank &c for platforms in the operations against the town. But before our return, Cornwallis had surrendered to Washington. My term of service was now out, being sometime in October 1781, and I was discharged, having been in this last service nine weeks .
Again, in the early part of the year 1782 my term (under the regulation above mentioned) came round, and I again entered as a private, under the last above named officers for a term of two months, but after our going at the same place, and marching towards Williamsburg and reconnoitering the country, we were discharged after serving eight weeks only. I do not remember the precise object of this last expedition - at any rate no particular service was done, and the expedition was quite useless.
This is all my service, and amounts only to little better than six months in all. I declare that I have no documentary evidence in my possession which would prove my service, nor do I know of any person now living by whom I can prove my service. I am quite old - have been much afflicted in my life - am quite frail & poor, and may not be able to state my case so distinctly as required.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state whatever.
And the said justice pronounced to said applicant the following interrogatories as prescribed by the War Department, to which he made the subjoined answers, to wit:
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in the County of Sussex in the state of Virginia on the 4 th day of October 1760.
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Answer. I have no record of my age at all - only the tradition of my family which I have no doubt is correct.
3. Where were you living when called into the service; where have you

lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer. I was living in Sussex County Va. when I entered the service. After the war I moved to Halifax County N. Carolina, and lived there about twenty years, and then moved to this County I have lived here ever since.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I was drafted, or took my turn in the class to which I belonged.
5. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer. I received none that I recollect of - if I did, they are lost long ago.
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I am known to Jonah Hibbs Esq. Philip Beason, Joel Hunkins, James M. Hibbs, Rev. James Johnson, John Berry others.
7. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. I was altogether with militia, except in the expedition to York, and then I only saw some of the general officers of the army, such as Washington, Wayne, Lafayette etc and in the first expedition I saw Major Earl of the Virginia line, and Major Dunwitt.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid } William H. H. } To the Hon. the day 9th
We James Johnson a Clergyman residing in the County of Livingston State of Kentucky, and Henry Wells Benjamin Barnes residing in the same County, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the above named William H. H. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. } To the Hon. the day 9th James L. Johnson Henry Wells Benjamin Barnes Jonah Hibbs

And the said justice do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that James Johnson who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said County, and that Henry Mills, Benj a Banner & Jonah Gibbs who have also signed the same are residents of the same County, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit. And I further certify, that it appears to me, that owing to the age & bodily infirmity of the said applicant, that it is inconvenient for him to attend the Court of his County, living about eleven miles from the Courthouse.
John Mee g 9/6
I John Patterson Clerk of the County Court for the County of Livingston and State of Kentucky do certify, that John Mee g Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, and whose name appears to the above Certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same, one of the justices of the said Court, duly commissioned and qualified according to law; and that due faith and Credit are due to and ought to be given to all his acts, as such in Courts of record, as well as elsewhere; and that his said signature is his genuine signature, and done in his own hand. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, and affix the seal of said Court, the day of September 1853.
John Patterson cl. c.

November 29, 1932.
Mrs. C. E. Fiers 607 West Mills Street Creston Iowa.
BA-J/ILL OW William Fiers S. 30414
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of William Fiers, a Revolutionary War soldier and a pensioner of Kentucky.
The record given below is obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 30414, based upon the service of William Fiers in that war.
William Fiers was born October 4, 1760 in Sussex County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Sussex County, Virginia, he enlisted in June or July, 1777, and served on several tours, amounting to a little more than six months, under Captains Thomas Newsom and Nichols, Colonel Gaskins and Wells in the Virginia troops; during this time, he was with the troops under General Washington in the vicinity of Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered, and rendered his last service in that vicinity early in 1782, specific dates of enlistments and discharges not given.
After the war, the soldier moved to Halifax County, North Carolina, and resided there about twenty years, then moved to Livingston County, Kentucky.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1833, at which time he resided in Livingston County, Kentucky.
There are no data relative to his family in the papers in this claim.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

30414 Rev  INVALID.
1932 - Nov. 29 - Hist. to Mrs. C.E. Fiers - JLL
File No. 30414
William Fiers
Rev War
Act: June 1 st 32
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 128
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mr. Ayers Mr. Fiers Kentucky
for 1777 private 6 months. $20.
Thos. Haynes Princeton. Ken

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William French further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? As V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? As VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Payments to be made at Lexington by the Prof. W. B. Banks Agent for paying Pension= ers in the Agency of Kentucky
Recorded in the Pension Of= fice, in Book E Vol 7 Page 29 by Sam Boyd Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Hiers of the State of Kentucky who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty dollars and 50 cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 9 th day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Isaac Baber
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, January 8 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," William Fiers, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Lexington, Ken: Agency, at the rate of Twenty — Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept., 1837, to the 4 th March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson H. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Treasury Department, Second Comptroller's Office, September 17. 1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," William Fiers a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency, at the rate of twenty Dollars and " " Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept r . 1836 to the 4 th of September 1837.
Respectfully, yours,
William E. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Ky Adams rec
FREE
Wm. Secretary of War (Pension Bureau) Washington City.
Coen

Again, the case of Mr. Fyers is transmitted to you, accompanied by the brief of objections to a former application. I believe the objections went entirely to the authentication. In all cases I have advised an entire new declaration, and I hope this case will now meet the requisites of the law &c.
Very resp y yr. obt servant
W. Maynes
Printed by G. 9 Oct. 1833.
2.03 1.26 2 5.29
John Frederick Smith
Ames Shouse

I S Edwards will please attend to the perusal of this letter & cut and send oblige his obedt servt Chas. Lyons
Honble C Lyons
Washington City
Chas. Lyons Honble

Lexington Ky 13 Feb 1834
Dr Sir,
There is the name of W m Fiers on the Pension list at this agency but the Certificate is for W m Fiers & from close inspection you will perceive the T has been altered to an F which I presume was corrected after the Certificate was prepared but the entry on the list remained the same - The name of the Pensioner is represented to me to be Fiers as the Certificate now states he resides in Lexington Co - There is also a contingent of yours in Fries Co by the name of Absalom Humphries who stands on the list here by the name of Abraham Humphries - By attending to the correction of these two cases you will render great favor to both of these men
Yrs respectfully
Joseph Licklin
Col H C Lyman
Absalom Humphries $60
Washington City
W m Fiers $20

State of Kentucky } Livingston County of _____
October 21 st _____
1837
Conformably to the Regulations of the War Department, of the 19th of June, 1824, I, James McCawley a Magistrate in the county above named, do hereby certify, that I have the most satisfactory evidence,* viz:
my own personal knowledge
that William Fries — who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of identity, is the identical person named in the Pension Certificate which he has exhibited before me, numbered 25022 and bearing date at the War Office, the 28 th day of February 1834; signed by Lewis Cass that the said certificate was originally issued for him; that he now holds the same in his possession, and claims all the benefits arising therefrom. Given under my hand at the war office on the day and year above written.
James McCawley J. P.
I, James McCallum Clerk of the Court of Livingston county, certify that James McCawley is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereto affixed my Seal of Office, and subscribed my name, this 28 th day of October in the year 1837.
James McCallum
Clerk of the Court of Livingston County.
*** Here state what the evidence is, whether personal knowledge or the affidavits of respectable persons, giving their names.

607. W. Mills St.
Creston, Iowa.
Apr. 17, 1932.
The Pension Bureau, Washington D.C.
I find in records of Rev. Chas that Wm. Piers of Rosemont Co. Va. veteran of Rev. War moved to Henderson Co. Kentucky and received a pension. Did he die there, or has you further records of his receiving a pension in Ind.? If so where in Indiana? Did his wife ever receive this pension after his death? If so what was her name? Any information you have on this William Piers

I would like to have Do you have anything about his services in Ro? Where can I find that?
Thanking you,
Mrs. C. E. Fiers.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Fiets, John GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9386 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED August 7, 1789 To Richard Platt, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.